Archive for the Colorado Springs Category

Looking for ceiling fan installation Colorado Springs? Well, you’re in the right place! Wire Works are Colorado Springs’ number one electrician company locally owned, and locally operated. But before we get into all that, let’s learn more about ceiling fan installation!

Can You Install Ceiling Fans Yourself?

Yes, you can! If you already have a ceiling outlet, then installing a ceiling fan isn’t too complicated. You usually need the ceiling fan itself, some wire strippers and wire connectors, electrical tape, a drill, a circuit tester, a screwdriver, some pliers and safety goggles. And, of course, you’ll need a ladder to actually get up there and install it!

There are a few things that mean installing a ceiling fan is more suitable for an intermediate or expert than a novice. First of all, you’re dealing with electricity. The electrics in older houses, especially, can be full of surprises. So, you might think you’ve turned off the supply… But you really haven’t! Or old cables might have frayed and become exposed. And you might have to upgrade your electrical panel, too.

Not only that, but you’re working at height, which is more dangerous than your average DIY. And what you’re doing is permanent and difficult to fix if anything goes wrong. That’s why most people opt for contractors for jobs like these, even if they usually go the DIY route.

How Do You Install Ceiling Fans?

The first thing you have to do is turn off the electrical supply to the existing light at the breaker box/fuse box. If necessary, remove any facing and expose the wiring, using a circuit tester to check if any of them are still live. Once you’re sure that the electricity is off, remove the fixture. If the existing electrical box is plastic, replace it with a metal box that’s suitable for ceiling fans.

Then you have to follow the ceiling fan’s manufacturer instructions (since all ceiling fans are different). Normally, this involves fixing the bracket either as-is or using an extension, before fixing the ceiling fan in place and wiring it up. This all assumes that there’s already an electrical connection, which there won’t be if you don’t have a ceiling light/other electrics in place.

The point of hiring a contractor is so that they take care of everything for you. If you aren’t comfortable working with electrics—and don’t worry, because plenty of people aren’t—then a contractor can do it all for you. Not only that, but you can have peace of mind that it was installed correctly. So who can you call…?

Call Wire Works for Ceiling Fan Installation Colorado Springs!

We’re Wire Works, a locally owned and operated electrician company here in Colorado Springs. We’ve got decades of experience between us working on projects just like these. So why should you call us, and how does hiring a contractor work? Let’s find out.

What Sets Us Apart From Other Contractors?

We pride ourselves on three things: our reputation, our professionalism, and our specialization.

Our reputation is something that we’ve earned over the decades. We aren’t part of any big conglomerate, and we aren’t a big nationwide business that couldn’t care less about the people we work for. Our business is built on good customer service, prompt and high-quality work, and repeat business from happy customers! To go along with our reputation, we’re BBB rated, fully licensed, and insured too.

To us, professionalism means leaving your house exactly how we found it! Not only that, but we complete every single one of our projects with the utmost attention to detail. And finally, our specialization in things like ceiling fan installations, home cinema and sound, lighting and security mean that we can offer better quality service than any other contractors out there!

So how does hiring a contractor actually work?

Hiring a Contractor for Ceiling Fan Installation Colorado Springs

It starts with you. Give us a quick call, and one of our friendly team will answer. We’ll set up a time and date for a house call, so that we can see what work you need us to do. When the day comes, we’ll sit down with you and figure out exactly what it is that you want. We can then take a look around and figure out how long it’ll take, and how much it’ll cost. Then we can set up a time and date from the work.

Why Pick Wire Works for Ceiling Fan Installation Colorado Springs?

When it’s time for us to install your ceiling fan, we’ll leave your house exactly how we found it. We promise that all of our work is done as quickly as possible, with minimum disruption to your daily life! That’s not to mention all of the advantages that come from hiring a contractor rather than doing it yourself. Like:

Because we work in teams, and because of our experience, we get things done more quickly than you could on your own.

You don’t have to tidy up after you get your brand new ceiling fan… Because we’ll do it all for you!

Although we’ve got no doubt you’re capable at DIY, fixing or installing something for the first time can still be daunting. So if you’ve no experience with ceiling fans, you can relax while we do it all for you.

Because you had us professionally install it, you can be completely confident of a job well done!

And if that’s not enough, we offer estimates for all of our work. We’ll never leave you out of pocket and jack up our prices unexpectedly, because what you see with us is what you get! So what are you waiting for? Give us a call today for ceiling fan installation Colorado Springs!

If you’re creating a home cinema, or you’d just like to improve on your current living room, then you need ceiling speakers Colorado Springs! They’re a permanent fixture that will provide top-notch sound quality for years.

Needless to say, that’s why it’s so important that you pick the right speakers, and install them correctly. That’s where we come in, and that’s what this post is all about. So let’s find out more about them!

What Are Ceiling Speakers Colorado Springs?

For starters, you can buy ceiling speakers either for your wall or for your ceiling. The way they work is the exact same. They’re like any other kind of speaker, but without a housing. Instead, you cut away either a part of the wall or the ceiling and have them there.

Why buy ceiling speakers? Let’s take a look.

They free up room in your home. Having a surround sound system can take up quite a bit of room, in between the sound bars, big speakers, small rear speakers and more.

And because there are plenty of high quality speakers available, you aren’t compromising on the actual sound system either. Ceiling speakers can be exceptionally high quality. Or, if you’re on a budget, you can find cheap ones too.

Not only that, but you avoid the need for tangles of wires all around the room. The more speakers you need, the more wires you have. This means having to buy cable tidies, or worse yet, run them through the wall. If you’re going to run them through the wall, just have ceiling speakers instead!

So, if you’re completely sold on ceiling speakers Colorado Springs, how many do you need?

How Many Ceiling Speakers Do I Need?

How long is a piece of string? You can have as many as you want, although after a certain point you do experience diminishing returns! These speakers usually come in pairs. If your TV has decent speakers or a sound bar, that means you don’t need so many. One on each side in the middle of the room, and two behind you would give high quality surround sound. But if you wanted, you could have two ceiling speakers, and ‘regular’ speakers in front and behind you. Ultimately, it’s all up to you and your budget.

Ceiling Speakers and Surround Sound

Ceiling speakers are the best way of achieving surround sound, without the need for lots of visible wires, lots of tiny speakers, and lots of effort. And because they’re installed directly, you can set them up for optimal sound, which will stay optimal for however long you use it. The principle of surround sound is in the name: it’s about having noise coming at you from the side, from behind, from the front, and even from above! The point is to make you feel like you’re really experiencing the movie. It’s the perfect complement to a 3D movie, because the sound is in 3D too.

Ceiling speakers help you achieve that. With ceiling speakers above and on each side of where you’re sitting, you’re creating that 3D sound (coupled with the speakers in front of you).

Do I Need Anything Else?

You most definitely do. If you’re installing a top quality sound system, you’re going to need top quality cable. If you wanted to scrimp and save on wiring, you’re welcome to, but you’re shooting yourself in the foot. Essentially, the longer the wire is, the more the sound degrades. This isn’t likely to affect you—it’s more to do with bigger rooms, like actual cinemas! But you’ll still need either two-core or four-core speaker cables.

Besides that, you also need ceiling speaker hoods. They’re big fabric hoods designed to fit around the speaker. They look almost like a cat bed! The point is that they stop noise from echoing around in the wall or ceiling cavity. This improves the sound quality of your ceiling speaker system. But even more importantly, it stops noise from spreading around the house. Plus, if you have an upstairs neighbor, it stops them from being able to hear whatever it is you’re listening to.

Can You Install Ceiling Speakers Yourself?

If you’re thinking of installing ceiling speakers yourself, you’ll need to be able to gain access either behind the wall or above the ceiling. You’ll then need to run the wire through to the TV or home cinema setup—if you do want ceiling speakers that use wires, that is. You can get Bluetooth speakers, although these are a little more expensive.

However, no matter what kind of ceiling speaker you buy, you’re going to need to power it. So your choices, really, are between a lot of wires and even more wires! All of this is to say that it’s perfectly possible for you to install them yourself, but it’s going to be a lot of hassle. If you’d prefer, we can do it all for you.

How Can Wire Works Help with Ceiling Speakers Colorado Springs?

We’re a locally owned and operated electrician company, and we can install ceiling speakers Colorado Springs—and more besides, like lighting and even security. Between us, we’ve got decades of experience, and we’re fully licensed, insured and BBB rated. We pride ourselves on our work, our professionalism, and our reputation.

Better yet, we specialize in home cinemas. We don’t just do sound systems, we do everything—from the big screen to the lighting, and even upgrading your electrical panel if necessary. We’ve been installing home cinemas from scratch for years, right here, and we’re also the best port of call for repairs.

So, still need ceiling speakers Colorado Springs? Then why not give us a call? Our friendly team will set up a home visit so that we can give you a quote and a timeframe for the work. But it all starts with you, so get in touch with us today!

You need a commercial electrician Colorado Springs business owners can trust. Well, stop searching—you’ve found what you were looking for. We offer absolutely everything you could possibly need, and more! Let’s take a look at what sets Wire Works apart, and why you should choose us, no matter what it is you need.

Looking for a commercial electrician Colorado Springs? We could help you with signage, security, upgrades, repairs and more. So give us a call! Image courtesy of Storyblocks.

Fully Licensed Commercial Electrician Colorado Springs

For starters, we’re fully licensed to work on both residential and commercial properties. So you don’t have to hire half a dozen contractors, when you can have us do everything for you! We’re fully licensed and insured too.

Aside from being licensed, though, we’re actually good at what we do.

Fast

We know how important it is to get electrical issues fixed quickly. Every minute that your business isn’t in full working order is more money lost—that’s just the way it is. If we couldn’t use our tools, then we’d be stuck in the same situation! That’s why we take pride in the speed of our service, whether we’re repairing an electrical fault or installing new signage or lighting in your commercial property.

Dependable

We’re the commercial electrician Colorado Springs turns to when they need dependable service. We’ve been working here in Colorado Springs for twenty years, and have a client base of customers who trust us. Because of the huge range of local electricians, it can be difficult to know who to pick… But our twenty years of good reputation run before us!

Professional

Whatever we do,we do to the best of our abilities. Not only that, but we’re completely professional. Whenever we work on somebody else’s property, we treat it as if it were our own. That means leaving it in the exact condition we found it, tidying up after ourselves, and making sure that you’re ready for business. It would be a terrible way for us to run our own business if we created such a negative reputation!

Knowledgeable

Because of our experience, we have knowledgeable experts who’ve seen it all, and done it all. There’s nothing you can throw at us that’ll surprise us, and no project that’s too big or too difficult to understand that we can’t handle. Not only that, but we have a number of electricians specialized in different areas that you can ask for help from. Every single one of our employees doesn’t stop at their licensing tests, but keeps learning and getting used to the most up-to-date technology. This gives us a competitive edge, and helps us prepare for whatever we might have to tackle next!

We Work With Any Business!

We love working with varied businesses across the Colorado Springs area. No challenge is too big for us, whether your business is a tiny bakery or a big office block. Businesses across the board have needs when it comes to lighting, repair, servicing and upgrades and we’ll be there for you no matter what you do. If your business is…

A bakery

A spa

An office

A big industrial building

A sports bar

A fancy restaurant

A takeout

A library

A Mom & Pop store

A gym

A club

…Then give us a call. Better lighting could help you no matter what your business idea, and everyone needs repairs once in a while. So bookmark us, save our number, or whatever you’d like to do—so that you can find us later!

We Install…

For any business, it’s important to stay secure. Just one robbery might be enough to put you in the red, either because of damage caused or goods/cash stolen. Both home invasions and robberies against businesses are becoming more common these days, but we can help.

Wire Works can install security systems for you that will monitor and protect your business. We’ve installed cameras in many homes and businesses around the Colorado Springs area, and without fail they help the owner/occupier find peace of mind at last.

Besides that, we also install digital signage. We don’t need to tell you how important signage is, or the positive effect it could have on your business. Branded signage can draw customers in and increase footfall, or help customers by displaying important information like opening hours. And we’ll install it all for you!

Wide Range of Services

We offer plenty of different services to Colorado Springs businesses. As such, we can be there for you whether you’re opening a brand new store, or whether you’re facing teething troubles getting your signage to work! At Wire Works, we offer:

We especially love working on lighting design and installation, either for businesses that are just opening or have been operating for years. But if you need anything in the above list, or even anything besides that, give us a call today. We offer free consultations, so call us today on 719-492-6955… No matter what why you need a commercial electrician Colorado Springs!

WireWorks are Colorado Springs’ premier electric contractors. We work tirelessly until you’re happy, on both small jobs and large. Interested in electric Colorado Springs? Then take a look at what we can do for you, below!

Electrical panel upgrades are especially important in older builds. They allow you to make the most of your home, and replace old panels that weren’t built for modern life. You might also need a more powerful electrical panel if you’re planning on an extension.

Repairs

You should never, ever put off electrical repairs- even if they’re minor. Needless to say, but wiring faults can be exceptionally dangerous. They don’t typically necessitate that you replace your entire wiring system, though. Just one short section is typically enough. Here are a few signs that you might need electrical wiring repair:

A strange, almost fishy smell. That’s the smell of electrical arcing

Feeling a shock when you touch a switch

Noticing that your breakers trip or your fuses blow more often than usual

Smoke

Discoloration on or around your switches and outlets

If you’re not certain whether you need repairs or not, it’s better to be safe than sorry. As we said above, frayed or broken wiring can be exceptionally dangerous. Electrical faults cause 51,000 fires each year, and almost 500 deaths. That’s no small number, especially considering that the majority of electric Colorado Springs repairs are so minor and affordable, even if you contact contractors like us.

Home Security

At Wire Works, we’re experts when it comes to home security. Unfortunately, there are around 16,500 ‘property related crimes’ in Colorado Springs each year. That’s 35 per 1,000 residents! Improving your home security system is normally enough to completely safeguard your property- the moment a thief spots that your house is properly protected, they’ll start looking for another house. So how can we help?

Lights… Having even just a small amount of movement-activated lighting is normally enough to deter most burglars. Making it obvious that it’s there, i.e. with a sign, also helps. Either way, if a thief knows that they’re going to be lit up when they’re trying to do their ‘job’, that’s enough to convince them to try a different house!

Cameras… Cameras go hand in hand with lighting. If the thief is still fool enough to try and steal from your home despite the lights, the cameras will mean you can identify them, even if they get away. Our cameras are wireless, easy to install, and affordable. You can even watch them from your computer, laptop or tablet so long as you have an internet connection.

Action! Last but not least, you have to think of your alarm system. The sound of an alarm isn’t just to alert you and your neighbors that there’s somebody there. It also confuses and distracts the thief. This can help you and your family get to safety, and gives you time to call the police.

So… Lights, camera, action! These three home security tools are more than enough to keep your home and family safe. We can help you with each of them, by sourcing the products, installing them, and helping you figure out how they work.

Home Theater

On a more pleasant note, we can also help if you want to set up a home theater. The right lighting and the right sound are essential if you’re thinking of setting up a home theater. Whether you’re thinking of a surround sound system, a wall mounted TV or a projector, we can help get the job done. So why should you consider electric Colorado Springs contractors instead of doing the job yourself?

First off, let’s get something straight: if you want a home theater, you don’t want to settle for anything less than the best, right? So let’s say you buy a big screen TV, an expensive sound system, some luxurious seats- great. But when you’re setting it up, you realize something: there are bunches of ugly wires here, there and everywhere! As electrical contractors, we can either run the wire through the wall, or use cable management to keep your home theater tidy.

Next, we don’t just help with installation. We can help you source your equipment, too, if you’d like. We only source the very best products, and at good prices too. And once we’ve installed them, we can help you get to grips with them, too.

Commercial Electric Colorado Springs

We also work with on commercial electric Colorado Springs business owners can be proud of. In the past, we’ve worked with:

Offices,

Spas,

Medical Complexes,

Industrial Buildings,

Sports Bars,

Restaurants,

Schools,

Libraries,

Shopping Stores,

Manufacturers & Factories,

Artist Studios,

Clubs and Gyms

You wouldn’t believe how much the right lighting can help your business. It makes your shop look warm and inviting, or relaxes the mood in a restaurant. It can make your gym seem energized and your sports bar the ideal place to watch the game. And for any business, the right lighting makes your business a better place to shop and work.

So, you’ve got some electrical work that needs doing around your home. It could be anything – from installing new lighting, to fixing an electric heater. Whatever the project is, should you attempt it yourself? Or should you hire a Colorado Springs licensed electrician?

There are pros and cons to taking both routes. However, when it comes to electrical work, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. It may seem appealing to attempt DIY work around your home, but is it worth the risk? If you aren’t a fully trained electrician, you could end up causing damage or hurting yourself.

There are five very good reasons why you should hire a Colorado Springs licensed electrician. Before you decide to attempt anything yourself, read our article. We’ll take you through these reasons so that you can make an informed decision.

Reason 1: Quality

One of the most tempting reasons for carrying out electrical work yourself is the cost. Many people like the idea of saving money by doing it themselves. After all, purchasing the materials and tools often work out cheaper than hiring a professional.

However, electrical work is not like regular DIY work, such as building bookshelves. If you aren’t a trained, qualified professional, you may not know how to spot a problem when you see one. It might be hard to tell if you’ve fitted something incorrectly. If you do something wrong, it’ll come at a cost. You could risk causing serious damage to your home, or even starting a fire. The amount you’ll spend on fixing the damage may end up being far more than what you’d have paid for a professional.

A Colorado Springs licensed electrician will complete the job to a high standard. Although you may pay more than doing it yourself, it’s well worth it.

Reason 2: Safety

Working with electricity is extremely dangerous. Everybody knows of the danger of electrical shocks and fire. However, would you know what to look for? A layperson – someone who isn’t a qualified electrician – may not be familiar with important electrical safety regulations. It’s not just a case of not mixing electricity with water, and covering plug sockets if there are toddlers in the house. There’s so much more to it than that.

For instance, many people don’t know that a loose wire inside a switch could potentially cause a fire. How do you know if you’ve tightened everything enough? And are you familiar with the proper protective equipment to wear when working with electric?

Licensed electricians are fully qualified to carry out electrical work. They’ve taken qualifications in electrical safety, and are familiar with all aspects of safe electrical maintenance. You can be sure that if you hire a Colorado Springs licensed electrician, you and your family will be safe.

Reason 3: Time

The third reason to hire a licensed electrician is that it saves you time. An unqualified layperson may take a lot longer to carry out electrical work than a professional.

It’s easy to imagine that something “simple” like installing a new light switch will be a quick job. But if you aren’t sure exactly what you’re doing, you may be surprised. Electrical work can be tiring, difficult and frustrating (even for the professionals, sometimes). If you do something wrong, the electrics can’t tell you why they’re not working. Sometimes, a job that seems like it’ll take half an hour can take a layperson days to get right.

Hiring a licensed electrician means you’re free to carry on with your life. While they work, you can spend quality time with your family. Run errands, look after children, or get on with another job around the home. Although you might spend less money doing it yourself, your time is worth more. A professional electrician will get the job done faster than someone inexperienced. This will give you more time to continue with the rest of your home renovations.

Reason 4: Insurance

Now to get on to the less obvious reasons. Have you thought about how attempting electrical work by yourself might affect your home insurance?

Working with electrics is not like working with wood, or laying a carpet. If you’re not a qualified professional, you may invalidate your home insurance by attempting it yourself. Many insurance companies will only cover you if all electrical work in your home is carried out by a licensed electrician.

Even if you do a great job, electrical appliances and wiring can develop spontaneous faults. If a fire starts in your home, your insurance company will want to know why. When they find out it was caused by an electrical fault, they’ll want to know who carried out the work.

A Colorado Springs licensed electrician will provide you with proper records of the work. So if anything does happen, you can prove the work was carried out by a licensed professional.

Reason 5: The Law

Finally, it’s time to consider the law. In the United States, you can’t just carry out electrical work in your home at you please. What you can and can’t do by yourself varies from state to state. The state of Colorado requires homeowners to apply for permits for some types of electrical work.

If you carry out electrical work without seeking the proper permit, you might be breaking the law. When you come to sell your home, you’ll bear the brunt of this mistake. The buyer will want to proof that all electrical work was carried out by licensed electricians with the proper permits.

Hiring a licensed electrician will take all of this off your shoulders. They’ll obtain any required permits before they start the work, and provide you with a paper trail should you need to prove this.

If you need any electrical work doing in your home, contact Wire Works today. We’d be happy to chat with you about your requirements and give you a personalized quote. Our team of licensed electricians will be happy to work with you to the highest standard. You can be sure you’ll get the quality that you pay for.

Replacing your electrical panel is a complex job. It can make a real mess, necessitate repairs and replacements all around your home (not just your panel) and cost quite a sum too. Like we said, it’s a big job, but it’s a necessary one, especially if your house is more than forty or fifty years old. That’s the point of today’s post: below, we explain the typical cost to upgrade electrical panel and the wiring in your home, as well as all the reasons why you might need to. Take a look if you’d like to know more!

Why Upgrade Your Electrical Panel?

First off, why should you upgrade, especially if the cost to upgrade electrical panel makes it such a big job? There are a few very good reasons.

If the electrical panel in your home is decades old, then there is a good chance that it will be more susceptible to faults. Faulty wiring is a major cause of house fires in the United States, and you can’t put a price on the safety of you and your family.

If you didn’t know, most houses these days use circuit breakers rather than fuses. That’s because fuses are one-time use. Once a fuse blows, it can’t be used again, whereas you can simply reset a circuit breaker. Older electrical panels use fuses, which may be a reason why you’d like to replace it.

Electrical panels are designed to provide a certain amount of power, up to a maximum. That maximum is typically between 100 and 400 amps. Put simply, that’s the amount of energy that it can distribute at any one time. Any more and there won’t be enough to go around.

When Should You Upgrade?

You can upgrade your panel any time you want to. But while that may be true, it’s best to do it before you have to. There are a number of signs that you should pay attention to which will warn you that your electrical panel is out of date, the most obvious of which is that your appliances don’t work. If you plug in electronics and appliances like your TV, chargers for various devices, kitchen goods and so on, but they simply won’t work at the same time, that means that you’re overloading your electrical panel.

Similarly, if your lights are flickeringthen that means the same thing. There simply isn’t enough electricity to go around, and you’ll need an electrical panel that provides more. You should also think about upgrading if you’re about to add an extension to your home. If you’re about to add another room to your property, or even if you’re just upgrading your kitchen, you should consider whether your electrical panel will be able to handle the extra workload.

Cost To Upgrade Electrical Panel

So, let’s get down to business: how much does it cost to upgrade electrical panel?

First things first, it depends on how old your wiring is. If you’re simply adding a new panel in a home that was only built ten years ago, you won’t have to replace your wiring. If that’s the case, you won’t have to replace wiring throughout your home, which is costly and time consuming.

In that case, then, you’re looking at the cost of parts and labor for a smaller job. The typical 200 amp panel costs between $100-$200, and the job itself normally takes between 8 to 10 hours. Naturally, this depends on the location of your panel and how easy it is to access and work in the space around it. Working in a cramped space can make the process take longer! There may also be other repairs which are necessary for your safety which will extend the cost of parts and labor. Overall, the average cost comes to $1500-$2000, including parts, labor and permit fees.

Cost To Upgrade Electrical Panel And Wiring

Say for the sake of argument that your house is fifty years old, and the wiring hasn’t been changed since the house was built. If that’s the case, you can’t simply change your electrical panel and call the job done. As we mentioned above, the older your wiring gets, the more of a fire hazard it becomes. Not only that, but your outlets, fixtures and circuits may also be damaged. If so, we would 100% recommend that you have these replaced too.

Of course, this does mean that the job becomes more complex, time consuming and costly. But if you leave faulty wiring in place for long enough, the risk of fire only gets higher. It’s impossible to give a ballpark figure because the cost depends on the size of your home, the number of floors in your home, how easy to access your crawlspace is and the age of your home as well. If you need an estimate for a job like this, we recommend that you ask us for a free estimate. We can visit your home, talk with you about what you need and recommend what we think is best.

What Next?

Your next step should be either calling us at (719) 492-6955 or message us through our contact form here. We can arrange a service visit at a time that works for you, so that we can take a look at your problem. Once we’ve had a chance to look around, we can suggest what we think are your best options- the ultimate decision is up to you. We also offer an estimate for our work, so that you’ll never be left out of pocket.

Not everybody is familiar with breaker boxes and what they do. In fact, the average person doesn’t know much about breaker boxes at all. But if you don’t, its important to educate yourself. Such boxes help to prevent circuits from overloading and causing wire damage or electrical fires. In turn, they are essential to safety in any home. If you don’t know much about circuit breakers, we are here to help! Here is everything you could possibly want to know about circuit breakers, and what exactly 200 amp breakers are.

What is a circuit breaker?

You can find circuit breakers on your home’s electrical panel. These panels are what takes incoming electricity and redistributes it throughout the circuits in your home. Circuit breakers are essential to the safety of any home or building. Their job is to prevent circuits from overloading. In laymen’s terms, what does this mean? It means that anytime a home or building’s electrical wiring has too much electricity flowing through it, the breaker will cut the power. Power will remain cut until the problem gets solved. Without circuit breakers homes and buildings would be at much higher risk of potential fires, equipment failures, and other wiring concerns.

What does a circuit breaker do?

Before we can understand what a circuit breaker does and what 200 amp breakers are, we first need to better understand the concept of electricity. There are three major attributes that make up electricity; voltage, currents, and resistance.

Voltage = A force or pressure that makes an electrical charge move. They’re understood in terms of “volts”.

Currents = The “flow” of an electric charge. In other words, the rate at which the charge moves.

Resistance = Is the amount of resistance offered by the conductor

Voltage, currents, and resistance all work together – and you cannot change one without causing change to another. So what does this have to do with your circuit breaker? Electricity in your home is initially received from a power plant. Inside your home, this electricity moves through circuits. One end of the circuit leads to the power plant, and the other leads to the ground. Whenever this circuit is closed, current can move through it. Electricity gets delivered to your home at a steady voltage, but all electrical appliances within your home provide a different amount of resistance. This resistance is what limits how much charge can flow through the circuit. For safety reasons, appliances are generally designed to keep a low current. If too much current were to pass through, the wires would generate too much heat, and a fire hazard would be the result.

This is how electricity should work in your home. But occasionally, things can go awry. In some cases, problems can cause resistance to minimize, pushing huge amounts of current through the wires. In turn, it becomes a safety hazard as the wires can overheat and create a fire. Luckily, it is cases like there where your circuit breaker will come to the rescue. When too much current is being pushed through, the breaker cuts off your circuit until the problem gets fixed.

How does a circuit breaker work? What does it mean to have “200 Amp breakers”?

Fuses are the simplest circuit protection devices. This is simply a thin wire that plugs into the circuit. When a circuit is closed, any charge that flows through it also flows through the wire or fuse. If the fuse gets too hot or there is too much current flowing through it, it disintegrates. This causes the circuit to open and prevents any further damage. Heres the problem with a fuse; you can only use it one time. If you blow a fuse, you have to replace it. This is why so many people are now moving to circuit breakers. They hold the same function as a fuse (opening when there is too much current), but you can use them more than once. How does it work? Unlike fuses, circuit breakers don’t “blow”, they “trip”. When this happens, all you need to do to restart them is simply flip a switch.

Now let’s talk about Amps. An Amp is a unit for measuring electricity. It is the standard unit for measuring how fast an electrical current flows. Each circuit breaker will have a maximum Ampage marked on its handle. This number represents the maximum Amp that can flow through the circuit before it trips. Before the 1950’s, 30 Amp fuse panels were the norm. Travel into the 1960’s, and 60 Amp panels became more widely preferred. Nowadays, 100 and 200 Amp breakers have become the standard. In fact, 100 Amps are the minimum allowed, while 200 Amp breakers are the preferred option.

What are the different types of breakers?

There are 2 standard types of circuit breakers; single and double pole. Single poles probably make up most of the breakers within your box. They are single switches designed for delivering electricity to smaller appliances. Double poles are for operating the larger appliances like washers, dryers, and dishwashers. These resemble two switches joined together.

So, why should you choose breakers? Well, you could just choose a simple fuse. But why continue to replace fuses when you can just flick a switch? Circuit breakers are an important choice in any home because they control your safety. Breakers help to keep the electrical currents flowing properly in your home, shielding you and your family from electrical fires. In terms of Amps, 200 is the standard in most homes today.

Where can you buy 200 Amp breakers? At WireWorksCoInc.com. At Wire Works Co Inc, we can help you install electrical panel upgrades that will keep your home or business safe. With the help of our professionals, we can ensure your home never loses power or suffers the consequences associated with a bad electrical panel. Invest in your safety today!

Ready to update that old ceiling fan to something more suitable to your tastes? I’m sure we have all encountered our fair share of ceiling fans that aren’t aesthetically pleasing or simply don’t perform to the standard that they should. Instead of having a faulty ceiling fan continue to hang in a room why not replace it instead? What is great about technology these days is that it has allowed for the creation of numerous types of ceiling fans Colorado Springs. Prices have come down to the point as well where you can easily purchase a fan and have it installed by a professional.

What Kinds of Ceiling Fans Colorado Springs are there?

Remote Controlled Ceiling Fans

One of the most popular types of ceiling fans on the market today are remote controlled ceiling fans. If we can use Bluetooth technology to connect a phone to a car’s speaker we should at least be able to control our ceiling fans remotely these days… Right? Multiple fan speeds and lighting can be controlled with one simple touch of a button. These types of fans are ideally suited to homes or residences that have high ceilings. Otherwise, you would find it difficult to adjust settings manually. They’re also best for those who simply prefer having another modern convenience around.

Energy Star Ceiling Fans

For those looking to use up less energy in their homes, energy star ceiling fans are great options to consider. With more aerodynamic blades and energy-efficient motors than regular ceiling fans, one can expect at least 20 percent more efficiency overall. When it comes to lighting, one can expect up to 50 percent efficiency. At the end of the day this means more money in your wallet, even though the upfront cost of energy star ceiling fans may be a bit higher than other types.

Outdoor Ceiling Fans

A growing trend these days on backyard porches is outdoor ceiling fans. They can provide a nice, gentle breeze on hot summer days. They also add a great design element to the back of any residence as well. Concerned about durability? Outdoor ceiling fans have advanced technologically to the point where one can easily find ones that can not only hold up to any sort of weather but last for years and years as well.

Wall Fans

Last but certainly not least, wall mounted fans provide a great way to save space and additional comfort to any room. If you can mount a television to a wall why not do the same with an efficient fan? Most have head tilts which allow you to position the fan in any manner of your choosing. They could even act as a cooling system for the room when the temperature rises outdoors. They are one of the most cost-effective types of fans on the market today, and provide a level of comfort that far exceeds the price.

However, it is also important to consider ceiling fan installation and what it entails. So what’s it like to have a fan installed?

What is Ceiling Fan Installation Like?

You could go to a local hardware store and purchase a “pre-installed” ceiling fan. Packages like these come with promises that you’ll have it up and running within an hour. More likely than not, it will take much longer than one hour to complete. There’s also a great risk of danger if you aren’t familiar with electrical wiring.

Ceiling fan installation is a complex process. You should leave it to professionals who can not only get it done right the first time but in a short amount of time as well. To install a fan, you have to:

measure the ceiling slope,

install fan braces,

take down any existing fans while keeping all of the electrical wires intact,

install wiring hanger brackets,

and connect bare electrical wires

…just to name a few of the steps. One not only has to have a knack for construction but for electrical wiring as well when it comes to installing ceiling fans. It is simply not worth spending hours trying to figure out such a complicated process when one could simply hire a professional instead.

In the Colorado Springs area, there is only one professional company that stands apart from the rest when it comes to installing ceiling fans Colorado Springs. And that’s us: WireWorks!

Why Choose WireWorks?

There are three reasons why you should consider WireWorks for your next ceiling fans Colorado Springs installation:

Experience and Know-How

WireWorks is an electrical company with 20 years of experience in the Colorado Springs area. The company does not rest on its experience gained in the field, however. All our employees strive to learn more and keep up to date with all of the changes going on within the electrical industry. Regardless of the ceiling fan, you can expect that WireWorks has the experience to get it done right and quickly.

A small company with a BIG reputation

WireWorks is BBB rated, fully licensed and insured with a great reputation in the community. One could spend up to an hour on the phone trying to get into contact with someone in regards to electrical services at a large company. What is great about WireWorks is that we are small enough to answer any questions you may have or set up an appointment in little to no time at all, but big enough to be recognized by the Better Business Bureau. The perfect mix!

Above and Beyond Service

We pride ourselves on our above and beyond service. Not only can we install practically any type of ceiling fan quickly and efficiently, but we also spend the time to show you how everything operates so that you can be ready to use it in no time at all. What is frustrating about most ceiling fan installations is that they may provide detailed instructions regarding how to install it, but scant information as far as how to operate it. Remote ceiling fans in particular can be tricky to master, and that is why our service will help you in this area as well.

As anyone who has had even a brief interaction with home security will know, smart security can be quite complex. While some people find it easy to deal with, others find it quite a challenging and frustrating process. If you are looking to find out more about home security and pick the right home security system, then our Colorado Springs Electrical Contractors would love to help you do just that.

Many people ask us if smart home security is the next step in theft prevention and general security. Let’s take a look at whether or not this particular statement rings true.

While many people will be happy to stick with a classic and old-school burglar alarm, smart home security changes the parameters. Aside from just offering you an alarm if someone breaks in, it also offers everything you need to stay in control. Monitor, manage and control your property without any issues whatsoever; even if you are out of the house, this gives you regular alerts and notifications.

This means that if you are on holiday or even just in work, you can be informed about a potential breach. Then, you can act upon that and make sure there is a clear decision to be made about what to do with the potential threat. However, even with that appeal and the more modern alert system, is smart home security at the level yet where you can justifiably invest in it? Let’s take a closer look.

Colorado Springs Electrical Contractors: What Is Smart Home Security?

Typically, these are internet connected security platforms that all run and work together. They help to deliver a more up to date form of home security, and offer you both wireless security and wired platforms. With various gadgets rolled into one system, you can usually:

Set clear lock mechanisms on the doors that can only be accessed with the right codes.

These features all naturally play a major role in modern security. With theft and burglary more sophisticated than ever, it’s vital we’re very clear about the potential problems that await us. As crime gets more intelligent, though, so do features that help keep criminals out.

Since these are driven by an internet connection, they tend to deliver a very easy to use and access security platform. Most home security systems also come with an app, too. The app can give you access to controlling and handling security. It also offers a viable solution for referring to old footage ad even using the footage as proof in a case, should any issues need to go to court for resolution.

Colorado Springs Electrical Contractors: Key Features

Normally, a reliable home smart security system delivers various other features on top of what we mentioned above. For example, you will regularly find night vision-enabled, two-way speaker security platforms. This is great for parents with newborn children, in particular.

You can also get access to temperature and moisture sensors. This is useful for making sure you can spot major problems before they escalate. From a leak to a flood incoming through to a fire, this feature will help you to know exactly what is coming before it gets out of hand.

They also often have new features that are nice extra touches. For example, you can play a preset noise when someone walks through a particular door. This is great for everything from preparing for burglary to knowing when someone is coming into the room so you can hide a surprise present!

GP tracking and telecare now come with many forms of smart technology and safety. Not only does this provide you with a very useful way to check in on elderly members of the household, but it offers an easy way to know where they are – and if they need help.

The other key element of a smart home system today is movement sensors. If someone who is vulnerable or needs care a movement sensor can alert their guardian to when the person is not moving the way that they should be in both volume, distance or attitude.

Colorado Springs Electrical Contractors: Determining the Cost

Now, it’s common for the cost of a home security system to put people off. However, can you really put a price on 100% peace of mind that you can catch perpetrators before they damage your property or even hurt your family? Smart home security provides such a guarantee. For that reason, most see the investment into a smart security system as worthwhile. Starting at around £500, you can easily pick up and install wireless security systems throughout your home. This offers protection to doors and windows, and will make sure you always have a third pair of eyes watching over your home even when you are away.

For those who value their property or their privacy, smart home security makes an obvious starting point. While the cost can rise due to the size of your home and the style of home security needed, it’s worth it. Generally, it’s one of the safest ways to protect your home from vandalism. All of this in mind, then, should make it much easier for you to decide on your needs. From budget to house size, various factors determine what you’ll need to pay. This is why we recommend that you contact our Colorado Springs Electrical Contractors team as soon as possible.

We can arrange a rapid solution to help make your home feel as safe as possible. If you fear that you lack the quality security needed to keep your home safe, take action. Going big on a smart home security system is the way to go.

Are you thinking of having new lighting installed? Or your old wiring repaired? Then why not hire one of our very own master electricians? Every one of our employees has trained and gained experience in a huge variety of settings. So whether you want basic panel servicing or upgrades, or you want a residential wiring system installed in your newly built home, give us a call today!

Here are just a few of the things that our master electricians can help you with.

Lighting Colorado Springs: new construction wiring

Wire Works have been servicing the Colorado Springs area for years. Over that time, our electricians have gained plenty of experience working on new homes and offices. Whatever you’re building, you should never consider having wiring installed by either an amateur or an electrician who isn’t qualified and licensedto do so. Over the years to come, you’ll enjoy the safety and peace of mind of having had the job done right. Our Master Electricians have the know-how and experience to install your new wiring system!

Lighting Colorado Springs: existing residential wiring

We can provide new wiring for old homes, too. So if you’ve built an extension, or you want your old wiring replaced for safety reasons, we’re ready to help. Older wiring systems can fall prey to damage from the elements, or even vermin, over the years. That’s a safety risk, as frayed wiring can cause electrical fires. You wouldn’t believe the number of ‘accidents waiting to happen’ that we’ve seen over the years!

That’s why many residents of the Colorado Springs area are opting to have their existing residential wiring replaced. It might sound like the kind of job that you can put off, but it really isn’t- your home or livelihood could be at risk. Our electricians make the job simple, easy and affordable. If you’d like to know more about our wiring replacement service, you can always get in touch!

Lighting Colorado Springs: service and repair

So if you’re worried about your wiring, give us a call, and we can perform a full safety check and service for you! We can take a look at the electrical wiring in your house from top to bottom, to pinpoint potential dangers. Like we said above, loose and frayed wiring can be an accident waiting to happen. But maybe your wiring is fine apart from one section! That’s where our repair service comes in.

We can patch any part of your existing system. So, if your electrical wires have frayed around one corner of your home but nowhere else, we can fix that for you! And our regular service can stop problems like this from happening in the first place.

Lighting Colorado Springs: remodels and additions

Are you having a new bathroom or kitchen fitted? You can buy all the fancy kitchen islands and pizza ovens you like, but you’ll literally be in the dark if you don’t have your new kitchen or bathroom wired up first! And when you do have your new room wired up, it’s worth sticking with a professional, so that you can rest assured you won’t be experiencing electrical problems in the near future.

Remodels like this are the everyday work that keeps our electricians busy. We’ve been working on jobs like this in the Colorado Springs area for over twenty years. So why not trust us to do the job for you, and to do it right first time?

Lighting Colorado Springs: panel and service upgrades

If you’re living in an older house, your electrical panel might not be up to the job any more. Modern devices like computers and high-definition TVs use far more power than some old electrical panels can handle. And as we keep adding more and more devices to our lives, that need for more power is only going to increase. So if your panel is getting on in years- if it’s more than a few decades old, especially- you should consider having your electrical panel replaced.

Lighting Colorado Springs: yard lighting

If you’re having your yard landscaped, the picture wouldn’t be complete without professional lighting! Your new outdoor kitchen or dining area can be made twice as nice with bright lighting. Or alternatively, your Jacuzzi or swimming pool can look classy with some low mood lighting! Whatever we install depends on your design. We listen to your needs- whether you want to entertain, spend time with your family, or with your partner- and advise you on what might work. These are some of the most fun projects to work on, because the right lighting really makes your yard come alive.

Lighting Colorado Springs: professional lighting design packages

Our Master Electricians are experts at working with your professional lighting design ideas. Before we start, we take in every detail of what you’re after: what mood or atmosphere you want to create, what parts of your house you want to accentuate from the outside, and how exactly to create the comforting family atmosphere you’ve always dreamed of. We take your ideas and turn them into a reality.

Our specialists will first tour your house, pinpointing each location where lighting would create the effect that you want. Remember, we’ve been working on projects like this for more than 20 years: so when it comes to advice about how to light your dream home, we know what we’re talking about! If there’s anything that you’re still not sure about, you can always ask our friendly technicians. And if you’re interested, give us a call today. We always try and answer in three rings- you could be talking to a Master Electrician in just a minute from now! So what are you waiting for?